Blaine Elementary School is dedicated to providing the best education possible for your child.  The main goal of the federal education law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), is to ensure that all students receive a quality education to be academically successful in a high-performing academic environment.  Each year under NCLB, Kentucky is required to assess progress of all schools to determine if each has made adequate yearly progress (AYP) - which means the school has met certain academic testing standards.  If the school has not met AYP for two (2) consecutive years, it is considered in need of improvement.

Based on NCLB data, Blaine Elementary has not made AYP for two (2) years and is in need of improvement.  (See the No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress Report on page 3.)   

Blaine Elementary is working to improve student achievement by:

·         Providing job-embedded professional development to staff;

·         Providing daily interventions and enrichment to students in the areas of math and reading;

·         Maintaining an ongoing focus on data analysis and student assessment;

·         Utilizing district resource teachers to enhance classroom instructional practices.

The district is assisting Blaine Elementary by providing technical assistance in analyzing both student work and data from the Kentucky Core Content Test (KCCT), identifying and implementing specific professional development, implementing research-based instructional strategies, analyzing and revising the school budget and expenditures, and by revising the school improvement plan.

Likewise, families are invited to become active partners in addressing the academic issues by volunteering, participating in PTO, SBDM Council meetings, and frequent communications with your child’s teacher. 

Although Blaine Elementary is committed to improving, families have the option to transfer their child/children to a school that is not in improvement.  This transfer is available at no cost. The following schools are available:

·         Louisa West Elementary (K-1)

·         Louisa East Elementary (2-5)

·         Fallsburg Elementary (K-8)

When Blaine Elementary NCLB status improves and exits the improvement status, students will be allowed to remain in the “transfer” school of choice until the highest grade in that school has been completed; however, the district will no longer be responsible for transportation. 

A meeting to discuss the school improvement issues and transfer options is scheduled on Monday, October 11, 2010, at 6:00 p.m., in the Blaine Elementary School library.

If you would like to transfer your child/children, please complete the attached Request to Transfer School Choice Application and return to Shawn Jennings, Principal, at Blaine Elementary or Mike Armstrong, Superintendent, at the Lawrence County Board of Education by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October  13, 2010.  Failure to meet this deadline will result in loss of the option to transfer.  Please duplicate the form as needed; one for each child.  District/school personnel will respond to your request within five (5) days of receipt.  You will be notified of the school assignment and have the opportunity to continue with the request or decline.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Shawn Jennings 606-652-3624; Mike Armstrong 606-638-9671; or Edris Humphrey 606-638-9671.  Thank you for your involvement in your child’s education.  We look forward to working with you throughout the school year.

Sincerely,

Mike Armstrong, Superintendent